Whiplash prevention systems are designed to prevent the neck and spine from being forced into an unnatural and painful position when a driver is hit from the rear. These systems usually comprise of active headrests that extend upwards in order to cradle the head, and seatbacks that recline slightly during a crash to absorb the force of the body. Cushioning the head and the torso before the contorting forces of a rear-end crash influence their position can help to reduce the instances and severity of whiplash.